Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1380 - 736: Elimination (Part 2)

This was not their place to argue; the decision had already been finalized by the core cultivators of the various super forces, and they lacked the standing to object.

Consequently, the following battles lost their meaning. With so many experts from the super forces watching, the Mid-stage Venerables of Da Leiyin Temple would never permit the independent Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioners to launch an attack.

Within the range of the "Thunder Sound Divine Ability," even if a few Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioners could endure the initial shock, surviving three simultaneous strikes from Mingxin Venerable was a mathematical impossibility.

Naturally, some powerful Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioners were present, but they chose to remain spectators, watching coldly from the sidelines rather than stepping forward.

In reality, there was no reason for them to stay once the independent Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioners were forced away.

Their participation in this Grotto Heaven opening was predicated on the presence of numerous non-sect Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioners; in fact, they had been instrumental in spreading the news to ensure such a large gathering.

However, it was clear that Mingxin Venerable had successfully cowed the entire crowd of Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivators.

Da Leiyin Temple had neutralized a sea of independent Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioners by deploying just a single regular Venerable.

At first, only a small group of independent Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivators retreated; however, the exodus soon grew as more realized the massive disparity between themselves and the elite disciples of the super forces. They had no desire to serve as cannon fodder.

Those who reach the Nascent Soul Middle Stage are far from foolish; they know to retreat when they realize a situation is hopeless.

Once the number of retreating practitioners caused their ranks to fall below those of the inner circle super force cultivators, the remaining outsiders saw the futility of staying. The gap was no longer just in quality but in quantity as well.

"Today, Mingxin Venerable’s feat of facing a hundred alone will surely tremble the Central State Continent!" Yin Chang remarked with a loud, boisterous laugh.

Li Yuanba glanced at Yin Chang, thinking the man was a natural provocateur, though he realized that such a thought might inadvertently be an insult to himself as well.

"Amitabha!" Mingxin Venerable ignored Yin Chang's comment. He turned back toward the Da Leiyin Temple camp and bowed with pressed palms to Master Ming Kong.

Li Yuanba could sense the deep exhaustion radiating from Mingxin Venerable; it was evident that unleashing the "Thunder Sound Divine Ability" against a multitude of same-rank cultivators was a grueling task.

"Yin Chang, considering the sheer number of practitioners from Central State Commerce here, perhaps you should have your excess people leave to match the numbers of Da Leiyin Temple and Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion!" Master Ming Kong retorted sharply, proving he was not as mild-tempered as he looked.

Central State Commerce had brought a vast number of Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioners because the organization was composed of numerous internal factions.

Each faction had sent its own detachment of combatants, which, when combined, resulted in a massive presence.

"My practitioners may be many, but how can they compare to Da Leiyin Temple, where a single Venerable wields the 'Thunder Sound Divine Ability'? Besides, Central State Commerce does not even have the largest group here!" Yin Chang replied with a smirk, refusing to yield to Master Ming Kong’s suggestion.

His statement was factual; the Infinite Sect and Beidou Sect had brought the most followers, outnumbering all other super forces combined.

It was obvious that the Infinite Sect and Beidou Sect were fully committed to claiming this Grotto Heaven.

"Yuan Ba, once we enter the Grotto Heaven, the five of us will split from the other Sword Cultivators. Do you wish to travel with me or explore on your own?" Wu Qi inquired via voice transmission.

Wu Qi was speaking on behalf of the five core Sword Cultivators of Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion.

He did not pressure Li Yuanba, believing that after observing the other super force elites, Li Yuanba would have his own strategy.

"I prefer to act alone after we enter," Li Yuanba answered through a voice transmission.

To be honest, none of the core cultivators from the super forces present made him feel truly threatened.

This confidence stemmed from his unique combat power and perspective. Even before this, the combination of his "Void-breaking Sword Intent" and the Spirit Treasure Xingyi Sword could slay any Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioner. Now, he also possessed the "Ten Thousand Sword Peak" and five Mid-stage Golden Corpses.

Furthermore, he had mastered several Divine Skills. With all these resources, he could dominate the battlefield as long as he wasn't swarmed by an overwhelming number of elites.

"Why don't we have each sect send out representatives for a series of challenges to thin the ranks? We don't know the size of the Grotto Heaven's interior, and this many cultivators is simply too crowded," Che Lian of the Infinite Sect proposed with a cheerful expression.

As he spoke, his gaze was fixed on Chang Qing of the Beidou Sect, his main competitor.

"What is the use of such duels? I have heard much of Young Master Li’s incredible power; why not have him step forward? Only those who can survive three of his moves should be allowed to stay," Chang Qing suggested, his eyes glinting.

While Chang Qing viewed the Infinite Sect as his primary rival, Li Yuanba of the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion was a significant threat.

By forcing Li Yuanba to fight now, he could gauge his strength and formulate a counter-strategy.

The other super force Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioners had heard of Li Yuanba’s terrifying reputation, but none had seen him in action.

They were all curious to see how a Sword Cultivator who had only recently reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage could be so formidable.

"Young Master Chang’s idea is excellent; let us see what Young Master Li can do!" Che Lian agreed after a brief moment of consideration.

Aside from the members of Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, the core cultivators of the other super forces all voiced their agreement.

They all wanted a firsthand look at Li Yuanba’s capabilities to prepare for the inevitable competition inside the Grotto Heaven.

"Yuan Ba, do not agree to this!" Wu Qi whispered urgently.

Tang Xue Ning, standing nearby, also shook her head, wanting to prevent Li Yuanba from revealing his hand.

They knew that Li Yuanba’s strength came from specific secrets that should not be displayed in public.

Once a secret is exposed, it invites both greed and the development of specific counters from enemies.

"It seems everyone wants to see me move, but there is no need for me to strike personally. I have a better alternative. My Corpse Refining skills are passable, so why not let my Golden Corpse fight in my place?" Li Yuanba’s words left the gathered cultivators stunned.

He was a Sword Cultivator, a core disciple of Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion; where would he find the time or resources to master Corpse Refining?

Chang Qing prepared to protest, but the words died in his throat when Li Yuanba summoned a Mid-stage Golden Corpse.

Sensing the oppressive aura radiating from the Mid-stage Golden Corpse, Chang Qing fell silent.

Even without a fight, the sheer pressure from the corpse indicated a terrifying level of power.

If they could exhaust the power of Li Yuanba’s Mid-stage Golden Corpse before entering the Grotto Heaven, it would be a major advantage.

Many of the other core cultivators reached the same conclusion.

The Mid-stage Golden Corpse walked calmly into the empty space in the sky.

Now that the independent practitioners had fled, there was plenty of room surrounding the peak.

"Who wants to go first?" Li Yuanba asked tonelessly.

Wu Qi and Tang Xue Ning stared at Li Yuanba and then at the Mid-stage Golden Corpse with bewilderment.

If the Mid-stage Golden Corpse weren't so clearly under Li Yuanba's command, the two Sword Cultivators would never have believed it belonged to him.

They felt no prejudice against Corpse Refining; the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion was hardly a standard Righteous Path sect, as any organization built on looting resources could never truly claim that title.